Fast-food restaurant workers across the United States have staged a 24-hour strike in protest at low wages.
A woman waving a sign at a New York rally organised by non-unionised fast-food workers. Photo: AFP
Walkouts were reported in New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Raleigh, North Carolina, the BBC reports, but it is not yet clear how many restaurants have been affected.
The workers' last nationwide strike, in August, was patchy, with some restaurants appearing to function normally while others were unable to do business.
Unions want a federal minimum wage of $US15 an hour, or $NZ18.10. The current minimum, set in 2009, is $US7.25 or $8.75 an hour.
In an economic policy speech earlier this week President Barack Obama, who has backed a Senate measure aimed at raising the minimum to $US10.10 ($12.19), specifically mentioned fast-food workers "who work their tails off and are still living at or barely above poverty".
Mr Obama's Democratic Party allies, who control the upper chamber of Congress, have said a vote on the matter could be held this month. But even if it passes the Senate, it is not clear if it would be approved by the House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Republican Party.
